# Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa 14 — Rāma answers the summons *Expecting his abhiṣeka and assuming Kaikeyī’s support, Rāma takes leave of Sītā and rides out with Lakṣmaṇa* Portion: Rāma accepts the exile · Verses: 27 · Ref format: 2.14. ## Sequence - Sumantra is admitted through the guarded courtyards and finds Rāma seated with Sītā beside him (14.1–9) - he says that Daśaratha and Kaikeyī wish to see Rāma immediately (14.10–11) - Rāma assumes they are discussing his abhiṣeka and that Kaikeyī is helping the arrangements → he reassures Sītā and takes leave of her (14.12–16) - she follows him to the door with blessings → he greets the people waiting outside and mounts his chariot (14.17–20) - Lakṣmaṇa stands behind him with the parasol and fan while the crowds cheer and speak of the good fortune ahead (14.21–27). ## Verses **2.14.1** sa tad antaḥpuradvāraṃ samatītya janākulam praviviktāṃ tataḥ kakṣyām āsasāda purāṇavit Passing that gate of the inner palace, thronged with people, the knower of ancient lore then reached a secluded courtyard. **2.14.2** prāsakārmukabibhradbhir yuvabhir mṛṣṭakuṇḍalaiḥ apramādibhir ekāgraiḥ svanuraktair adhiṣṭhitām (a courtyard) guarded by young men bearing javelins and bows, with polished earrings, vigilant, single-minded, and well-devoted. **2.14.3** tatra kāṣāyiṇo vṛddhān vetrapāṇīn svalaṃkṛtān dadarśa viṣṭhitān dvāri stryadhyakṣān susamāhitān There he saw, stationed at the door, aged men in ochre robes, staves in hand, well-adorned, overseers of the women's quarters, fully composed. **2.14.4** te samīkṣya samāyāntaṃ rāmapriyacikīrṣavaḥ sahabhāryāya rāmāya kṣipram evācacakṣire Seeing him approaching, they, wishing to do Rāma a kindness, quickly announced him to Rāma, who was with his wife. **2.14.5** prativeditam ājñāya sūtam abhyantaraṃ pituḥ tatraivānāyayām āsa rāghavaḥ priyakāmyayā Learning that it had been announced, Rāghava, wishing to please, had the charioteer — his father's intimate — brought right there. **2.14.6** taṃ vaiśravaṇasaṃkāśam upaviṣṭaṃ svalaṃkṛtam dādarśa sūtaḥ paryaṅke sauvaṇo sottaracchade The charioteer beheld him — resembling Vaiśravaṇa, seated, well-adorned, upon a golden couch spread with a fine coverlet. **2.14.7** varāharudhirābheṇa śucinā ca sugandhinā anuliptaṃ parārdhyena candanena paraṃtapam (He beheld) that scorcher of foes anointed with priceless sandal-paste — pure, fragrant, and of the hue of boar's blood. **2.14.8** sthitayā pārśvataś cāpi vālavyajanahastayā upetaṃ sītayā bhūyaś citrayā śaśinaṃ yathā and attended too by Sītā standing at his side, a yak-tail fan in her hand — like the moon accompanied by the star Citrā. **2.14.9** taṃ tapantam ivādityam upapannaṃ svatejasā vavande varadaṃ bandī niyamajño vinītavat The bard, knowing his office, humbly saluted that boon-giver, endowed with his own splendour and blazing like the sun. **2.14.10** prāñjalis tu sukhaṃ pṛṣṭvā vihāraśayanāsane rājaputram uvācedaṃ sumantro rājasatkṛtaḥ With hands joined, having asked after his ease in his pleasures, his bed and his seat, Sumantra, honoured by the king, said this to the prince: **2.14.11** kausalyā suprabhā deva pitā tvaṃ draṣṭum icchati mahiṣyā saha kaikeyyā gamyatāṃ tatra māciram O lord, fair glory of Kausalyā! Your father wishes to see you, together with Queen Kaikeyī; go there, and do not delay. **2.14.12** evam uktas tu saṃhṛṣṭo narasiṃho mahādyutiḥ tataḥ saṃmānayām āsa sītām idam uvāca ha Thus addressed, that lion among men of great lustre, delighted, then took leave of Sītā and spoke this: **2.14.13** devi devaś ca devī ca samāgamya madantare mantreyete dhruvaṃ kiṃ cid abhiṣecanasaṃhitam O queen, the king and the queen (Kaikeyī), having met, are surely deliberating together over something concerning my consecration. **2.14.14** lakṣayitvā hy abhiprāyaṃ priyakāmā sudakṣiṇā saṃcodayati rājānaṃ madarthaṃ madirekṣaṇā For, having discerned his intention, the very gracious queen, wishing to please, with her intoxicating eyes, is urging on the king for my sake. **2.14.15** yādṛśī pariṣat tatra tādṛśo dūta āgataḥ dhruvam adyaiva māṃ rājā yauvarājye 'bhiṣekṣyati Such is the assembly there, and such the messenger who has come; surely this very day the king will consecrate me to the heir-apparency. **2.14.16** hanta śīghram ito gatvā drakṣyāmi ca mahīpatiḥ saha tvaṃ parivāreṇa sukham āssva ramasya ca Come! Going quickly hence, I shall see the lord of the earth; do you meanwhile, with your attendants, remain at ease and take your pleasure. **2.14.17** patisaṃmānitā sītā bhartāram asitekṣaṇā ādvāram anuvavrāja maṅgalāny abhidadhyuṣī Honoured by her husband, dark-eyed Sītā followed her lord to the door, uttering words of blessing. **2.14.18** sa sarvān arthino dṛṣṭvā sametya pratinandya ca tataḥ pāvakasaṃkāśam āruroha rathottamam Seeing all the petitioners, meeting them and greeting them in return, he then mounted his excellent chariot, resplendent as fire. **2.14.19** muṣṇantam iva cakṣūṃṣi prabhayā hemavarcasaṃ kareṇuśiśukalpaiś ca yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ (the chariot,) golden-hued, as if stealing the eyes with its radiance, yoked with the finest horses resembling young elephants, **2.14.20** hariyuktaṃ sahasrākṣo ratham indra ivāśugam prayayau tūrṇam āsthāya rāghavo jvalitaḥ śriyā Mounting that swift, horse-yoked chariot, Rāghava, blazing with splendour, drove swiftly forth, like the thousand-eyed Indra his own. **2.14.21** sa parjanya ivākāśe svanavān abhinādayan niketān niryayau śrīmān mahābhrād iva candramāḥ Resounding like a thundercloud in the sky, making all echo, the illustrious one went forth from his dwelling, like the moon from a great cloud. **2.14.22** chatracāmarapāṇis tu lakṣmaṇo rāghavānujaḥ jugopa bhrātaraṃ bhrātā ratham āsthāya pṛṣṭhataḥ Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava's younger brother, parasol and yak-tail fan in hand, guarded his brother, mounting the chariot behind him. **2.14.23** tato halahalāśabdas tumulaḥ samajāyata tasya niṣkramamāṇasya janaughasya samantataḥ Then, as he went forth, a tumultuous clamour of cheering arose on every side from the throng of people. **2.14.24** sa rāghavas tatra kathāpralāpaṃ śuśrāva lokasya samāgatasya ātmādhikārā vividhāś ca vācaḥ prahṛṣṭarūpasya pure janasya There Rāghava heard the buzz of talk of the assembled folk, and the various words, concerning himself, of the delighted people of the city. **2.14.25** eṣa śriyaṃ gacchati rāghavo 'dya rājaprasādād vipulāṃ gamiṣyan ete vayaṃ sarvasamṛddhakāmā yeṣām ayaṃ no bhavitā praśāstā lābho janasyāsya yad eṣa sarvaṃ prapatsyate rāṣṭram idaṃ cirāya 'Here goes Rāghava today, about to attain, by the king's grace, vast fortune. We here have all our desires fulfilled, we whose ruler this man shall be. It is a boon for these people that he shall take charge of this whole realm for a long time to come.' **2.14.26** sa ghoṣavadbhiś ca hayaiḥ sanāgaiḥ puraḥsaraiḥ svastikasūtamāgadhaiḥ mahīyamānaḥ pravaraiś ca vādakair abhiṣṭuto vaiśravaṇo yathā yayau Amid neighing horses and elephants, with heralds, benediction-singers, bards, and panegyrists going before, exalted and eulogized by excellent musicians, he went forth like Vaiśravaṇa. **2.14.27** kareṇumātaṅgarathāśvasaṃkulaṃ mahājanaughaiḥ paripūrṇacatvaram prabhūtaratnaṃ bahupaṇyasaṃcayaṃ dadarśa rāmo ruciraṃ mahāpatham Rāma beheld the lovely high road, crowded with she-elephants, tuskers, chariots, and horses, its squares filled with great throngs of people, abounding in jewels and heaped with many wares.